Course Description

In this course, we focus on the interaction of lexical semantics with discourse semantics. Specifically, we will explore the integration of Generative Lexicon (GL) and Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT) processes, along with both the problems and advantages that such an integration brings to semantic theory. Both GL and SDRT are reactions to theories of the lexicon and discourse update that fail to account adequately for a wide variety of phenomena having to do with the pragmatics/semantics interface. What earlier theories lack is an account of how the "composition" of new information in context could in fact alter the information as well as the elements in the context, in ways not predictable within a framework countenancing only operations like lambda conversion or merge. GL and SDRT make this the core of their approach to meaning. Broadly speaking, context-sensitive approaches to both lexical composition and discourse interpretation have a common view about meaning, some of the same formal tools, and some of the same problems. In the first part of the course, we concentrate on the theoretical mechanisms of GL and SDRT, and then on their interaction at an analytical level. In the second part of the course, we turn to recent work on the integration of analytical and probabilistic approaches to modeling discourse structure, using the resources outlined in the first part of the course.

Course Areas: Computational Linguistics, Discourse, Empirical Methods, Semantics/Pragmatics

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of formal compositional semantics operations and linguistic theory; familiarity with dynamic logic, type theory, and probability is desirable.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Schedule of Lectures with Topics

Welcome! Here's the schedule for our lectures. See you all Thursday.
-James

L1. Introduction Lecture:
Thurs 5/7: Introduction to Contextual Approaches to Meaning:
Introduction to Lexicon, types, and logical forms, Philosophy of Context Sensitivity.
-Nicholas and James

Week 1: Introduction to Lexical and Discourse Matters

L2.
Mon 9/7: Generative Lexicon Assumptions, Qualia, Type Levels, Naturals, Artifactuals, and Dot Objects.
-James

L3.
Thurs 12/7: Enriched Modes of Composition:
Function application, accommodation, and two types of coercions.
-James

Week 2: Refining and Deepening the Picture

L4.
Mon 16/7: Mechanics of aspect selection with dual aspect nouns (dot objects) and also relative predication.
-Nicholas

L5.
Thurs 19/7: Dependent types and coercion, discourse dependence formalized.
-Nicholas

Week 3: Empirical Approaches to Discourse Analysis

L6.
Mon 23/7: Finishing up the logical model, final thoughts
-James and Nicholas
Integrating Diverse Sources of Knowledge for Discourse Understanding
-James and Nicholas

L7.
Thurs 26/7: Annotation Schemes for Discourse and Temporal Relations
-James and Nicholas

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